Abstract
Between 2000 and 2004 we used subtalar arthrodesis to treat 44 patients for continued pain after intra-articular calcaneal fracture. All the fractures were due to laboral accidents.
Average time to union was 3 month(2 to 4 months). Complications were minor in 12 patients and major in 10 patients.
Lenght of follow-up was 23 months.
Hindfoot scores (clinical rating system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society)improved from 35,11 to 67,22.
The results were excelent in 7 patients, good in 24, fair in 7 and bad in 6 patients. Return to previous activities was possible in 26 pacients.
We concludes that subtalar arthrodesis represents a rather effective treatment of the subtalar arthritis due to inta-articular calcaneal fractures.
The majority of patients can have improvement with surgical reconstruction but pain relief is usually not complete.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
